ILO Voices Against Child Labour: A Media competition 2024

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligibility is extended to journalists, filmmakers, photographers, and media professionals from Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and Egypt who are employed by either African or international media outlets focusing on African topics. Additionally, students from these specified countries who are enrolled in any African university, whether within their home country or abroad, are also welcome to participate.
• Participants must be above 18 years old.
• Participants can participate in a maximum of 2 of the following areas : video, written media, photo stories.
• All entries must be accompanied by the corresponding signed consent forms as attached.
• To prepare your participation in this competition, you are recommended to first undertake this ITC-ILO on-line training:  SELF-GUIDED COURSE ON REPORTING ON CHILD LABOUR FOR MEDIA  (in English)

Offered Benefits

Grand Prize:

• One (1) journalist will be invited to attend and report on the ILO's "Knowledge Sharing Forum: Innovative Solutions to Reduce Child Labour and Forced Labour in Africa" in Nairobi, Kenya, in May 2024. This is your chance to shine on a regional stage and amplify your voice on a significant cause.
• The ILO will cover all travel expenses and provide daily allowances in line with organizational policies, ensuring a comfortable and enriching experience.
• The winner will also participate in the subsequent knowledge sharing and capacity-building event (described below) further enhancing its capacity to continue to report on child labour.

Top Journalists:

• A maximum of the best 10 participants, representing a balance of genders, will be invited to a dynamic knowledge sharing and capacity development event in Kampala, Uganda, in October 2024. This is an unparalleled opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded professionals.
• Travel and daily expenses for these journalists will be fully sponsored by the ILO, adhering to organizational guidelines, to ensure a focus on learning and collaboration.

Visibility:

• The winning entries, as well as other top entries, will be featured on the ILO’s website, ILO social media sites, and may be used in future ILO workshops, trainings and events.
• The winners of the competition agree that their name and winning entry, including pictures and videos, will be used in post-contest publicity and training material developed by the ILO.
• Decisions on the awards are final and without appeal.

Application Process

• Only submissions via email or WeTransfer by email to  will be accepted.
• Only submissions with appropriate subject name will be accepted as follows APPLICANT NAME_PROFESSIONAL OR STUDENT_VIDEO/WRITTEN/PHOTOGRAPHY
• Only submissions via email or WeTransfer by email to  will be accepted.
• Only submissions with appropriate subject name will be accepted as follows APPLICANT NAME_PROFESSIONAL OR STUDENT_VIDEO/WRITTEN/PHOTOGRAPHY.
• The email content should be:
• WeTransfer submission for video, attached writing or attached photo stories with descriptive caption;
• consent forms ;
• CV of the applicant (please indicate your gender)
• Written submissions, including articles and essays, should not exceed 800 words.
• Video submissions must be no longer than 7 minutes.
• A participant may submit up to two entries across the available categories.
• All entries must focus on one or more of the specified thematic areas related to child labour in Africa.
• Entries must be original and recently developed (from June 2023 to the date of submission), if entries have been published, a notification of consent for the re-publication and use of the publication by the ILO.
• Entries can be submitted in French, English or Local Languages. However, submissions not in English or French must include a translation or subtitles in one of these languages. The translated version will be considered for judging. Participants are responsible for the accuracy and quality of their translations.
• The quality and presentation of submissions are crucial. Entries will be judged based on their appearance and how effectively the submissions convey the themes highlighted above and meet the objectives of the competition through the chosen medium.
• Entries must adhere to high journalistic standards, respecting the dignity and rights of individuals, particularly children, portrayed in the stories.

• - No sensationalism
  - Veracity
  - Relevance
  - Educational relevance
  - Safeguards
  - Protection

• Consider the following guides to guide the development of your submission:

• Child labour: A practical guide for journalists 
  GUIDELINES CHILD LABOUR 
  Ethical and quality reporting on child labour 
  Child Labour: A Practical Guide for Journalists - TIP SHEET 

• Submissions containing harmful, misleading, defamatory, or inappropriate content, or promoting illegal activities, will be disqualified.